Wounded Warrior Project

Mental and brain health programs - Wounded Warrior Project knows that many wounds are invisible and can arise years after service. Wwp helps warriors, their families, and caregivers improve mental and emotional wellness, which enhances their quality of life, increases resilience, and enables them to thrive in their communities. Through wwp's mental health and wellness programs, wwp honors its commitment to this generation of Wounded, ill, or injured service members no matter how long or difficult a Warrior's road to recovery. Interactive programs, rehabilitative retreats, and professional healthcare services delivered by full time wwp staff and third-party healthcare providers affords warriors with the tools to develop and maintain healthy, meaningful relationships, set goals for the future, and build (see schedule o) resilience without the barriers or stigmas associated with mental health issues. To ensure that warriors and family members receive high-quality care in a timely manner, wwp utilizes a dedicated triage team that provides appropriate referrals into wwp's mental health programs. 4,937 total warriors and family support members were served through mental health outreach and referrals, and 26,614 counseling sessions were delivered to warriors and their families. Total brain health and mental health wellness programs expenses were $93,451,706, including grants of $34,007,754, for the fiscal year ended september 30, 2023. Wwp provides the following mental health and wellness programs:project odyssey: wwp's Project odyssey is a 12-week mental health program that uses adventure-based learning to help warriors manage and overcome their invisible wounds, enhance their resiliency skills, and empower them to live productive and fulfilling lives. The program starts with a five-day mental health workshop, where warriors are challenged to step outside the comfort of their everyday routines. This opens them up to new experiences that help them develop their coping and communication skills. After the workshop, participants work together with wwp to stay engaged, achieve their personal goals, and make lifelong positive changes. During fiscal year 2023, 2,028 participants attended a Project odyssey retreat.wwp talk: wwp talk is a free program that connects veterans, their spouses, and other family members with a dedicated and empathetic listener. In addition to emotional support and goal-setting guidance, wwp talk can provide resources for things like anger management, couples counseling, post-traumatic stress disorder, other military therapies, and even financial education. Though the program is not a crisis helpline, it offers a safe and non-judgmental space where participants can discuss personal issues or concerns. In the instance of a crisis, the talk program team will create a warm hand off to the veterans crisis hotline as needed. Wwp served 2,215 participants through more than 19,541 emotional support calls, in the wwp talk program in fiscal year 2023. 95% of wwp talk participants were satisfied with the program.warrior care network: to accelerate the development of advanced models of mental health care, wwp partners with four world-renowned academic medical centers ("amcs") to form Warrior care network, leveraging our collective commitment and expertise. Partnering with emory healthcare veterans program, Massachusetts general hospital's home base, rush university medical center's road home program, and ucla health's operation mend, the Warrior care network treatment model provides a year's worth of clinical mental health care during a two-week intensive outpatient program. Warriors who complete the program have seen a significant improvement in ptsd and depression symptoms, translating to increased resiliency and improved quality of life. Warrior care network provides veterans with a path to long-term wellness, improving mental healthcare treatment options, and mental healthcare for the future. During the year, Warrior care network served 911 veterans through intensive outpatient programs and 2,394 veterans in traditional outpatient therapy. In addition, the network provided treatment and psychoeducation to 587 veteran family members/caregivers. Treatment outcomes show significant reductions in ptsd symptoms for both veterans and family members. In response to patient demand, the network also provided grants to treat veterans with ptsd and co-occurring traumatic brain injury (tbi) and/or substance use disorder (sud). In the intensive outpatient program, Warrior care network helped veterans experiencing ptsd significantly reduce their symptoms in just 2-3 weeks. The majority of warriors reporting severe ptsd symptoms at the beginning of the program are provide evidence-based treatment that reduces their symptoms to a mild or moderate level at the end of the program. Warrior care network uses clinically validated assessments to track this reduction in symptoms. Additionally, in satisfaction surveys, 96% of participants indicated that they were satisfied with the care they received and 95% indicated that they would tell a fellow Warrior about the program. Wwp issues grants to the amcs in the Warrior care network totaling $33,807,751, for the year ended september 30, 2023. Wwp's Warrior care network grant agreements have significant future conditions, and accordingly, a portion of the expense for those grants will not be recognized until specific conditions are satisfied. As of september 30, 2023, future conditional payments on these grant agreements are estimated to be paid as follows:2024 $32,316,3432025 $34,404,4682026 $35,400,266thereafter $2,385,522total $104,506,599complex case coordination: wwp's complex case coordination team serves post 9/11 veterans under difficult and unique circumstances which are multi-faceted and require urgent action. These cases cannot be addressed by just one wwp program, as they span across focus areas, involving multiple programs and external resources. This team is comprised of subject matter experts from multiple focus areas, allowing them to address all components of the case concurrently and with an integrated approach. This program connects warriors to inpatient and outpatient programs within the va and its community care network in a coordinated and collaborative effort. Wwp served 553 participants through the complex case coordination program.

Financial wellness programs - an important component of successful transition to civilian life for Wounded service members is the opportunity to pursue a meaningful career, achieve financial stability, and provide for their family. Financial insecurity is a significant risk factor, and wwp financial programs focus on stabilizing and empowering Wounded warriors and their families. Total financial wellness programs expenses were $39,844,652, including grants of $7,394,119, for the fiscal year ended september 30, 2023. Wwp provides the following financial wellness programs: (see schedule o)benefits: wwp's benefits team advocates for injured veterans and their family members to obtain their well- earned va government benefits. Wwp's va-certified team of representatives provides warriors and family members with the support and qualified help needed to navigate the va benefits claims process. The benefits team helps warriors and their families to understand their options, receive their benefits, and remain focused on their recoveries. In fiscal year 2023, there were approximately 45,993 issues awarded on behalf of warriors through benefits service, with an economic impact of $175.7 million.warriors to work: wwp's warriors to work program provides warriors and their family members with the resources and assistance they require to be successful in the civilian workforce. Warriors to work provides training, coaching, interview preparation, and other career services, as well as encourages and educates employers on the benefits of hiring Wounded warriors. Program participants learn the skills necessary to find meaningful employment, live financially resilient lives, and are empowered to reach their highest career ambitions. In fiscal year 2023, 1,515 warriors and family members that participated in the warriors to work program were placed in positions, with an average full-time salary of $65,042 and an average part-time salary of $23,434, respectively, which had an economic impact of $89 million from annualized employment compensation.financial education: the wwp financial education program empowers warriors to take charge control of and manage their finances to build a strong foundation for themselves and their families. The program offers a variety of opportunities such as educational seminars, one-on-one counseling, and online resources covering topics like personal finance, budgeting, saving, debt management, and long-term planning. These services equip warriors with the tools, resources, and support they need to achieve financial wellness today, for a better tomorrow. In fiscal year 2023, 2,274 warriors and family members that participated in the financial education program.emergency financial assistance: wwp's programs and services are built to guide warriors toward their next mission in life. Along that journey, unexpected challenges and emergencies can occur that can put a Warrior's recovery progress in jeopardy. The wwp emergency financial assistance service provides financial grants to warriors who are struggling with the most urgent and critical financial challenges so they can build the best lives for themselves and their families. Wwp issued grants to 2,626 warriors totaling $5,421,786. See schedule i, part ii.

Connection programs - warriors form strong bonds in the military. After service, Wounded warriors frequently experience isolation and mental health challenges, often lacking the support networks needed to help them thrive. Wwp offers a wide variety of opportunities for Wounded warriors, their families, and caregivers to socially connect, build camaraderie, and heal. Through educational, recreational, and family-oriented activities, warriors gain a renewed sense of connection with their peers, cohesion, and purpose. These opportunities introduce veterans to new experiences, and to the care and support they need throughout their journeys of recovery and rehabilitation. (see schedule o)wwp had 197,539 warriors and 49,188 family members registered as of september 30, 2023. Total connection programs expenses were $41,297,051, for the fiscal year ended september 30, 2023. Wwp provides the following connection programs:alumni: veterans who register with and join wwp are called alumni. Wwp alumni connection program helps Wounded warriors, their families, and caregivers build stronger support networks and enhances their mental wellness by engaging them in social events, support groups, and other opportunities to connect with each other in their communities.wwp offers a wide range of activities including skill-building educational sessions, sporting events, personal and professional development summits, recreational events, and online video game competitions to provide Wounded warriors an opportunity to engage with other Wounded warriors and family members. 69,915 warriors and 19,179 family support members were served through the alumni program. 97% of those who participated in alumni program activities were satisfied with the program.the alumni connection program also provides bedside care, comfort, and backpacks to Wounded service members arriving at u.s. military treatment facilities and u.s. department of veterans affairs ("va") polytrauma rehabilitation centers. Wwp backpacks contain clothing and personal items to make a Warrior's hospital stay more comfortable, also serving as an entry point into wwp's programs as they transition through care. Warriors who are injured overseas and evacuated from field hospitals to larger military treatment facilities abroad receive a transitional care pack ("tcp"), which includes clothing and toiletries for their immediate comfort, and for the comfort of their accompanying family members. Wwp delivered 77 backpacks to Wounded warriors in fiscal year 2023. Since wwp's inception, 6,154 backpacks and 47,718 tcps have been delivered to Wounded warriors.international support: landstuhl regional medical center ("lrmc"), located in landstuhl, germany, offers support abroad for Wounded, ill, and injured service members who are medically evacuated from deployed locations. Typically, their belongings are not transported with them. Wwp endeavors to make their hospital stay and travel back to the united states as comfortable as possible. Wwp has dedicated personnel and resources at lrmc that distribute tcps, provide support for events and visitation, and educate warriors and families on wwp's free programs and services.peer support: during military service, warriors form bonds with one another that are as strong as family ties; wwp recognizes that no one understands what a Warrior is going through better than someone who has walked in their shoes. Wwp's peer support program is composed of small, wounded-warrior-only groups led by peers who have overcome challenges and experienced success transitioning to civilian life. Alumni who volunteer as peer support group leaders are living the wwp logo; carrying other warriors when they need it the most. These warriors give back to their fellow veterans by providing them with a safe, judgment-free environment to connect with their peers and strengthen the bonds of shared service. The peer support program served 10,980 warriors at peer facilitated support groups in fiscal year 2023.resource center: warriors and family members registering with wwp often initially communicate with wwp's resource center. The resource center helps warriors and their families understand, identify, and access wwp programs, services, and support, as well as other available community resources. It serves as a connection point at every step along their individual journeys. The resource center serviced 67,875 incoming contacts including calls, in-person, fax, email and live chats in fiscal year 2023.

Independence program - wwp's independence program provides long-term support to catastrophically Wounded warriors living with injuries such as a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or neurological conditions that negatively impact their independence. The program is designed to support warriors who, without high- touch services, would struggle to live day- to- day due to the severity of their injuries. Wwp contracts with specialized case manager teams to increase access to community services, offer rehabilitation through therapy, and empower warriors to live a more independent life. Supplementing va care, services are highly individualized and include in-home care, life skills coaching, traditional therapies (physical, occupational, speech, etc. ), and alternative therapies (art, music, equine, etc.). Because every journey is different, wwp works as a team with warriors, their family members, and their caregivers to set individualized goals to live a fulfilling life, at home, with their loved ones. As of september 30, 2023, there were 849 warriors receiving services through the independence program at an average annual cost per Warrior for contracted outside services of $25,457. Total independence program expenses were $46,787,443, including grants of $4,000,000 to Wounded Warrior Project long term support trust (the "trust"), see below. Wwp's independence program also provides continuous care services. The goal of continuous care services is to empower severely injured warriors and family members enrolled in the independence program to prepare for their future by developing life care, estate, and financial plans. Wwp provides at no cost to warriors and their family members with, third-party professional services to support this critical long-term planning. In addition, in the event of the loss or inability of their caregiver to provide the required level of in-home support, the Warrior is afforded a capped amount of financial support to help pay for housing, home care aid or long-term facility support. These continuous care services are funded by the trust.the purpose of the trust is to provide the economic means to maintain severely Wounded, ill or injured warriors in settings that are as independent as possible, and to assist with long term care needs in the event that the Warrior's caregiver is no longer able to provide the required level of support. Specifically, the trust provides funds to ensure home care, residential options and other necessary services remain available to these warriors, who upon the loss of their caregiver, are at risk for institutionalization. Wwp is responsible for identifying the warriors who are members of the charitable class of persons served by the trust. The trust will generally make approved distributions directly to service providers to provide for the needs of warriors. Distributions for the benefit of a specific Warrior take into account his or her health, financial needs, care requirements, ability to live independently, community-based resources available, and in general, services required to provide for a better quality of life. Further, wwp takes into consideration the availability of government benefits and other forms of public funding and resources that may provide for some or all of the needs of the warrior.the trust is a type i supporting organization, operated, supervised and controlled by wwp, its supported organization. All funds held by the trust must be used for purposed defined by the trust and will not be returned to wwp unless the trust is terminated. Wwp does not have any plans to terminate the trust. A separate irs form 990 is filed for the Wounded Warrior Project long term support trust. Accordingly, all distributions out of the trust are recorded in the trust's form 990. Distributions for the fiscal year ending september 30, 2023 totaled $953,992. Trust net assets totaled $141,913,284 as of september 30, 2023.physical health and wellness programs - wwp's physical health and wellness program empowers warriors to adopt healthier lifestyles through movement, nutrition and sleep education, coaching, goal setting, and skill- building. The cornerstone of the program is a 90-day coaching program delivered in person and virtually by full time staff, which helps warriors adopt an active lifestyle and better nutritional habits. Warriors reach their goals through various activities and challenges that help them improve their physical health, mental health, and overall well-being. In fiscal year 2023, there were 5,712 participants in wwp ph&w programs. Of those participants, 1,257 participated in the coaching program and 32% reported an improvement in their nutritional quality after participation in the program. 52% of participants reported that they met the physical activity guidelines after participation in the program. Adaptive sports: the wwp adaptive sports program empowers warriors to unleash their highest potential by participating in modified athletic opportunities designed for their individual abilities. Through single and multi- day clinics, warriors learn to use adaptive sports equipment and develop athletic skills. Additionally, warriors are introduced to seasoned adaptive sports athletes and connected with local resources. This lays the groundwork for them to continue improving their physical fitness while connecting with other veterans and their community through sport. In fiscal year 2023, 215 total warriors and family support members participated in an adaptive sports event.soldier ride: wwp's soldier ride originated as a unique, multi-day cycling event that helps warriors build their confidence and strength through shared physical activities and bonds of service in a supportive environment. The program incorporates skill-building practices that accommodate all ability levels. Warriors never ride alone; they move forward together, as a unit, just as they did during their military service. Over the years, soldier ride has expanded to incorporate a variety of options to serve warriors. These include traditional and adaptive road biking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, virtual events, training challenges, as well as skills development camps. Soldier ride served 1,800 participants in fiscal year 2023. 93% of participants said soldier ride increased their overall self-confidence.total physical health & wellness program expenses were $19,184,999 including grants of $125,000 for the fiscal year ended september 30, 2023.community partnerships - wwp believes that no single organization can meet all the needs of Wounded, injured, or ill veterans alone. Through its community partnerships program, wwp collaborates with and invests in other military and veteran support organizations to amplify the impact of wwp's mission and expand our reach, creating systems of support to fulfill the wide range of challenges our nation's injured veterans face. Total community partnership expenses were $14,593,983, including grants of $7,865,387, for the fiscal year ended september 30, 2023. See schedule i.government relations - as a trusted advocate for our nation's Wounded veterans, wwp's Washington, dc - based government and community relations team strives to address the issues that matter most to veterans. Using feedback and insights from warriors, the government relations team advocates for policies and initiatives that make a difference - improving the lives of millions of veterans, their family members, and caregivers. On the front lines of military and veteran issues, wwp advocates for solutions in areas such as mental health, access to community care, women veteran's care, research for brain injuries, toxic exposures, transition assistance benefits and more. Total government relations expenses were $5,480,451 including grants of $75,000 for the fiscal year ended september 30, 2023.